Final answer:
To avoid dose creep, pay attention to EI values and increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Restricting mAs values to less than 20 and using the highest kVp available are not effective methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
To avoid dose creep, it is important to pay attention to the exposure index (EI) values. The EI value is an indicator of the exposure received by the image receptor. By monitoring and adjusting the EI values, you can ensure that the radiation dose is appropriate and not increasing over time.
Restricting the mAs values to less than 20 is not a reliable method for avoiding dose creep. mAs is a measure of the total quantity of radiation used, but it doesn't take into account the variation in patient size and body part thickness.
Using the highest kVp available is also not a solution to dose creep. While higher kVp can reduce dose, it can also decrease image quality and detail.
Increasing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can help mitigate dose creep. By improving the SNR, you can produce higher quality images at lower radiation doses.